Looking for a healthier alternative to your favorite French fries? Look no further than homemade zucchini fries. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also baked instead of fried, making them a guilt-free snack or side dish.
To get the perfect texture and flavor, be sure to follow a few simple tips. Salting the zucchini beforehand will help extract moisture and create a crispy fry, and if you can’t find seasoned panko breadcrumbs, simply add some oregano or Italian seasoning to the mix. With endless dipping sauce options, from marinara to homemade aioli, zucchini fries are sure to become your new go-to snack.
Instructions
To make crispy and delicious zucchini fries, you need to follow these easy steps:
- Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and position the racks in the center. Coat a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with olive oil.
- Salt the Zucchini: Slice the zucchini into fries, place them on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt. Let the zucchini fries sit for about 10 minutes to extract the moisture, and then pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Create Your Dredging Station: Set up your dredging station by whisking eggs into one bowl, pouring flour into the second bowl, and making your breadcrumb mixture in the third bowl (panko, Parmesan, salt, and pepper).
- Dredge the Zucchini Fries: Working in batches, dredge each zucchini fry in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Arrange each fry on the baking sheet, making sure there’s enough room between them.
- Bake the Zucchini Fries: Once all of the zucchini fries are on the baking sheet, spray them with olive oil and bake for about 10 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, rotate the fries, and spray with olive oil again. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Season the Zucchini Fries: Remove the zucchini fries from the oven and sprinkle them with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Plate the fries alongside some lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce like marinara or an aioli.
By following these simple instructions, you can easily make crispy and flavorful zucchini fries that are perfect as a snack or side dish. Enjoy!
